Melbourne, Sept. 11, 2019: Aussie university La Trobe and IT major Cisco have decided to collaborate on technology innovation with a focus on the Internet of Things (IoT). The agreement signed between the two also says they will “showcase what is possible in research and learning through a range of education initiatives.”
The announcement of the signing of the agreement was put on the La Trobe Website.
Among the many things, the tie-up will see the creation of a new Cisco Chair of the Internet of Things and a Co-Innovation Centre presence at the University, bringing together researchers and industry to facilitate collaboration and create opportunities to solve real world problems, through technology innovation.
The partnership also offers La Trobe access to Cisco’s best in class global programs such as its Networking Academy modules with IoT, cybersecurity and entrepreneurship, and access to the Digital Schools Network to share resources and connections.
La Trobe said the partnership will eventually help to create opportunities for students and academia, establish a new home for co-innovation and collaboration, enabled by access to world leading programs that will propel Australia’s digital future.
La Trobe University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar said in the post that the partnership will have a “profound impact” on the University’s students, researchers and partners, as well as the broader community.
“Partnering with Cisco unlocks a rich world-wide network of best-practice, innovation, creativity and experience,” John said.
It is fundamental to the evolving role of a modern university that researchers and teachers work closely with industry to address shared challenges. This is exactly what the new partnership will deliver, and I am delighted that our two institutions, with complementary strengths and interests, have agreed to forge stronger connections for our respective communities.
– Vice Chancellor John Dewar
Cisco’s Vice President of Australia and New Zealand Ken Boal shared how Cisco’s partnership with La Trobe was part of its recently announced Country Digital Acceleration investment in Australia.
“By teaming with La Trobe University we’re supporting the development of industry ready skills that are required, today. The IoT presents new research and innovation opportunities and will transform industries right across the globe. The Chair of IoT combined with the world-class co-innovation capability, further our collaborative approach to innovative teaching and learning and open up the door for world leading research.”
Here are the salient points about the agreement:
Under the agreement announced in the Victorian Parliament, La Trobe and Cisco will collaborate on a wide range of cross-cutting initiatives, including:
- Introducing a position for the Chair Cisco IoT: a co-funded Chair will enable the appointment of an internationally acknowledged leader in teaching and research to provide academic leadership and to teach IoT at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The appointment will lead innovative and high impact research, including fostering and maintaining a network of academics at La Trobe with Cisco industry partners and clients to inform solutions to real-world problems in the field of IoT.
- Establishing La Trobe University with a Cisco Co-innovation Centre presence: will offer access to world-class tools and global networks for Victorian small-to-medium enterprises and large corporates searching for innovative solutions to real-world business problems. Researchers will collaborate with business to understand how to best utilise technology and research to achieve efficiencies, create innovative opportunities and solve industry problems in areas that may include agriculture technology, smart cities and IoT.
- Access for educators and students to Cisco’s Digital Schools Network: enabling local educators and students to digitally connect with their peers locally and around the world. The Network enables the safe sharing of lessons and resources, provides access to ‘live’ virtual excursions and creates a space to collaborate on a range of digital learning activities and is powered by Cisco Webex. Participating schools will gain access to tailored Content, designed by La Trobe’s extensive network of talent and expertise.
- Innovative teaching and learning through a partnered approach: collaborating on research and design of innovative teaching and learning environments as exemplars for Smart Classrooms and delivery of new modules of the Cisco Networking Academy program, focusing on IoT, cyber security and entrepreneurship, within La Trobe programs. This will provide best practices improving learning environments, ensure better student and teacher engagements in tutorials and lectures. It will also allow teachers to communicate across campus using Cisco technology in an engaging way to ensure student participation and collaboration.
Image Credit: La Trobe